Texas football coach Tom Herman addressed the media after day one of training camp. Here are the highlights of Herman’s press conference:
--- Herman was pretty excited about the return of football on Friday. Apparently, Herman could barely sleep in anticipation of the first training camp practice: “I told the team that last night I woke up before my alarm clock yesterday morning, excited to see them and get around them and meet with them. And then obviously today to get them out there running around I thought for a practice one, the effort level was outstanding. Certainly, missed assignments and poor technique here and there. We're okay with that. As long as they're sticking their foot in the ground and running and going as hard as they can, that's a successful practice, and practice number one. Again, it's just practice one. No shoulder pads. Just running around, but thought we competed played really hard.”
--- Running back Keaontay Ingram is 20 pounds heavier than last year, according to Herman. From a developmental standpoint, Herman is extremely pleased with this group of players.
--- Last year, Herman gave a lot of impressive numbers about weight room accomplishments. However, he said they did not test players this year. He expects testing to occur every other year.
--- The three things Herman hopes to accomplish during training camp is to find reliable cornerbacks, finding the best 11 players on defense, and improving the run game so Sam Ehlinger does not have to take so many hits this season.
--- Here is what Herman wants to see during the first few days of practice: “Yeah, just effort. I mean, it is really important. And you get a lot of work, especially in the throwing game, timing and all that. Obviously, two days worth of installation in. Really, at the end of the day, the first two practices are understanding the intensity, the urgency, and how we practice.”
--- Texas did not have an offensive play over 50 yards last season, and here is Herman’s answer when I asked if he had playmakers this year: “We had one in the starting lineup, and [it was] Devin Duvernay last year that we've got to do a better job getting him the ball, both schematically, and from a timing standpoint at the quarterback position. And then, the slot receivers and Josh [Moore] and Jake [Smith], and Brennan Eagles is a really explosive guy, too. So, that'll be a tough challenge who are the best three receivers and then our tailbacks.”
--- Herman on how the freshmen looked on day one: “Physically? They look great. You can tell they've had a good eight-week session with Coach [Yancy] McKnight. Their heads are spinning from a game standpoint, and just the intensity of practice standpoint. I really do think their physical development looks really good. We've got to focus on the intensity of practice.”
--- Herman described freshman receiver Jake Smith as fast, but does not know his specific numbers. In addition, Herman said Smith keeps his mouth shut and works his tail off.
--- Texas will be in shorts and helmets for the next two days. On day five, the Longhorns will wear full pads. Herman said they will have four consecutive practices, followed by a day off, before full pads.
--- Herman on the Sugar Bowl being a motivator for this year’s team: “Since January, we haven't allowed any Sugar bowl gear. You know, we don't say, we and us. When we talk about 2017, it's like, hey, do you remember when ‘we?’ It's, okay, remember when that team had this happen to them? It's much different tense of how you're referring to last year's team. But there are a lot of lessons that can be learned, both good and bad. The good ones we need that that team was known for and that accomplish we're going to enhance and build on those. The things that they did poorly, or maybe stumbled upon, we've got to learn a lesson as to why that happened, and then make sure it doesn't happen to us, which is this year's team.”
--- Herman was pretty excited about the return of football on Friday. Apparently, Herman could barely sleep in anticipation of the first training camp practice: “I told the team that last night I woke up before my alarm clock yesterday morning, excited to see them and get around them and meet with them. And then obviously today to get them out there running around I thought for a practice one, the effort level was outstanding. Certainly, missed assignments and poor technique here and there. We're okay with that. As long as they're sticking their foot in the ground and running and going as hard as they can, that's a successful practice, and practice number one. Again, it's just practice one. No shoulder pads. Just running around, but thought we competed played really hard.”
--- Running back Keaontay Ingram is 20 pounds heavier than last year, according to Herman. From a developmental standpoint, Herman is extremely pleased with this group of players.
--- Last year, Herman gave a lot of impressive numbers about weight room accomplishments. However, he said they did not test players this year. He expects testing to occur every other year.
--- The three things Herman hopes to accomplish during training camp is to find reliable cornerbacks, finding the best 11 players on defense, and improving the run game so Sam Ehlinger does not have to take so many hits this season.
--- Here is what Herman wants to see during the first few days of practice: “Yeah, just effort. I mean, it is really important. And you get a lot of work, especially in the throwing game, timing and all that. Obviously, two days worth of installation in. Really, at the end of the day, the first two practices are understanding the intensity, the urgency, and how we practice.”
--- Texas did not have an offensive play over 50 yards last season, and here is Herman’s answer when I asked if he had playmakers this year: “We had one in the starting lineup, and [it was] Devin Duvernay last year that we've got to do a better job getting him the ball, both schematically, and from a timing standpoint at the quarterback position. And then, the slot receivers and Josh [Moore] and Jake [Smith], and Brennan Eagles is a really explosive guy, too. So, that'll be a tough challenge who are the best three receivers and then our tailbacks.”
--- Herman on how the freshmen looked on day one: “Physically? They look great. You can tell they've had a good eight-week session with Coach [Yancy] McKnight. Their heads are spinning from a game standpoint, and just the intensity of practice standpoint. I really do think their physical development looks really good. We've got to focus on the intensity of practice.”
--- Herman described freshman receiver Jake Smith as fast, but does not know his specific numbers. In addition, Herman said Smith keeps his mouth shut and works his tail off.
--- Texas will be in shorts and helmets for the next two days. On day five, the Longhorns will wear full pads. Herman said they will have four consecutive practices, followed by a day off, before full pads.
--- Herman on the Sugar Bowl being a motivator for this year’s team: “Since January, we haven't allowed any Sugar bowl gear. You know, we don't say, we and us. When we talk about 2017, it's like, hey, do you remember when ‘we?’ It's, okay, remember when that team had this happen to them? It's much different tense of how you're referring to last year's team. But there are a lot of lessons that can be learned, both good and bad. The good ones we need that that team was known for and that accomplish we're going to enhance and build on those. The things that they did poorly, or maybe stumbled upon, we've got to learn a lesson as to why that happened, and then make sure it doesn't happen to us, which is this year's team.”
